When to plant trees and shrubs: fall planting by state

Sources (8)

Short answer: For most deciduous trees and shrubs, fall is the best planting time across the region. Virginia Extension calls October and November the best months. The top of the plant goes dormant, but roots keep growing until the soil cools to about 45–50°F. The exceptions are evergreens and a few fleshy-rooted trees, which several agencies say to plant in spring.Quoted from each state's Extension service below. Delaware's Extension pages weren't checked for this page; Maryland's guidance is the closest match.

Get my $12 My Yard Plan The plan picks trees and shrubs that fit your ZIP and your space, shows where each one goes, and includes a shopping list. Now in VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DE.

Checked October 18, 2026.

Best time to plant trees and shrubs, by state

State	What Extension says	Source
Virginia	“October and November are generally considered the best months to plant trees and shrubs.” VA Dept. of Forestry: plant dormant trees in late fall, winter or early spring; evergreens only in late winter or early spring	Virginia Cooperative Extension, VA Dept. of Forestry
Maryland	Fall, winter (unfrozen soil) and early spring are best. Plant dogwoods, magnolias, willow oaks, tulip poplar and yellowwood in spring. Broadleaf evergreens do best in spring	University of Maryland Extension
North Carolina	Container plants do best “if transplanted in late fall or early spring”	NC State Extension Gardener Handbook, Ch. 11
South Carolina	Container plants are “best planted in the fall,” because roots keep growing through the warmer fall and winter	Clemson HGIC
Georgia	“Fall is the ideal time to plant trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers and herbaceous perennials”	UGA Extension C 895-3
Tennessee	“Fall may be the best time to plant.” Roots grow until soil drops below 45–50°F. Water, since October and November are usually very dry	UT Extension PB 1621
West Virginia	Plant about two months (at least six weeks) before your average first frost. Where early frost is likely, spring is preferred	WVU Extension

Wait for spring with these

Fleshy-rooted trees: dogwoods, magnolias, willow oaks, tulip poplar and yellowwood (UMD Extension).
Broadleaf evergreens: UMD says spring is best, though mountain laurel, boxwood and hollies can go in in early fall with deep watering and mulch (UMD). The Virginia Department of Forestry says evergreens should only be planted in late winter or early spring because of winter burn (VDOF). VCE says evergreens can be moved earlier in fall, before they go dormant (VCE). The agencies differ here, so play it safe with evergreens this late in the year.
Cold, high-elevation yards: WVU prefers spring where an early fall frost is likely (WVU).

My Yard Plan: $12 launch price (reg. ~~$19~~)

Hand-picked plants that grow together, sized for your space

Free: what's legal. $12 plan: exactly what to plant, where, and how to build it, with a shopping list, in 24 hours.

What's inside

Step-by-step build plans for a raised bed (wood or concrete block), with diagrams and a shopping list
Build plans for a hoop cover (bugs, frost, shade)
Build plans for a drainage fix for your soil
Plants picked for your ZIP, each with cited legal status
Your planting calendar and a vegetable bed plan
Delivered within 24 hours — printable PDF and phone-friendly version

Digital download — no physical products shipped.

Now in VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DE

Get a plan for my backyard

Planting tips they agree on

Not too deep. The hole should be no deeper than the root ball (VCE, NC State). Clemson lists planting too deep among the most common and serious mistakes (Clemson).
Water through fall and winter dry spells. WVU says to add about an inch a week if fall is dry (WVU). UT notes October and November are usually dry (UT).
Mulch, but keep it off the trunk (WVU).
Skip late-season fertilizer. NC State warns that late-summer feeding pushes new growth that may not harden off before cold (NC State).
Wet yard? Most trees get root rot on wet sites. River birch, baldcypress and sycamore are exceptions (UMD). See wet clay plants and drainage fixes.

Choosing what to plant: shade trees by zone · native privacy hedges · Bradford pear replacements · what to plant in October

Common questions

Is fall a good time to plant trees in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia Cooperative Extension says October and November are generally considered the best months to plant trees and shrubs. The Virginia Department of Forestry recommends late fall, winter or early spring for dormant trees, and late winter or early spring for evergreens.

Which trees should not be planted in fall?

University of Maryland Extension says dogwoods, magnolias, willow oaks, tulip poplar and yellowwood have fleshy roots and should be planted in spring, and broadleaf evergreens are best planted in spring.

How late in fall can you plant shrubs?

WVU Extension recommends planting about two months, and at least six weeks, before your average first frost. UT Extension notes roots keep growing until soil temperatures drop below 45–50°F.

More yard fixes

Standing water in yard: fixes Wet clay plants (Hampton Roads)Moles: what works Too late for grass seed?